Body support



s. s. ALBERTS BODY SUPPORT Jan. 7,1964

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 28. 1960 ATTORNEY s. s. ALBERTS BODYSUPPORT Jan. 7, 1964 Filed April 28; 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 PIC-5.9

FIG.8

Jan. 7, 1964 I s. s. ALBERTS 3,116,736

' BODY SUPPORT Filed April 28, 1960 I v 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United StatesPatent Office ddliijdb Patented Jan. 7, 1964 3,116,736 BQDY SUPPORTSydney S. Albert's, 44 E. 32nd St, Yonkers, NY. Filed Apr. 23, 1960,Ser. No. 25,34s 12 Claims. (Cl. 128-524) This invention relates todevices for supporting certain portions of the human body and moreespecially for applying external pressure for the control of varicoseveins and other pathological conditions. In areas of the body, such asthe vulval area, where configuration renders impossible the use ofconventional devices such as bandages, tapings or elastic stockingsthere has heretofore been available no adequate means or device formeeting these requirements.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a device which willaiford the required support and by which a steady, continuous andregulated external pressure may be applied to the vulval area of thebody in order to control varicose veings during pregnancy and for use inthe treatment of such conditions as cystocele, rectocele and the like.

It is imperative that the required upward pressure be applied withouttendency for the pressure-applying member or members to fold upwardlyand enter between the labia majora, as that would occasion extremediscomfort. A specific problem, therefore, is to provide a constructionwhich will overcome any such tendency, and which at the same time willnot cause chafing.

In accordance with the invention a centrally positioned strip, orelement, and two crossed strips, or elements, all of flexible material,are arranged in contact with one another, the central strip beingadvantageously placed above, or inside of, the two crossed strips. Thecentral strip is of an appropriate width to span the labia majora andextend in the length wise direction thereof from the front of the bodysomewhat above the vulva back towards the buttocks. Advantageously, allthree of these strips are of elastic material but, if desired, any orall may be nonelastic or non-elastic in part.

The other two strips are of approximately equal width, butadvantageously are somewhat narrower than the central strip. They crossone another at an acute angle, the angular extent of which depends uponthe size and configuration of the wearer and enables the device toconform to persons of considerable difference in size and shape.

Both the central strip and the two crossed strips are supported at theiropposite ends and advantageously are supported independently of eachother, although they may be connected by one or more stitch lines. Themeans of support is constituted of an appropriate structure encirclingthe body such, for example, as a belt-like device, or a girdle.

The front and back ends of the central strip or element are connected tothe belt-like member or girdle by suitable straps which areadvantageously elastic but which may be non-elastic, or non-elastic inpart. The straps at the back are approximately vertical. These straps atthe front constitute a part of the belt-like device whereas when agirdle is used the front straps are attached at the opposite sideportions of the girdle. The lower ends of these straps are attached tothe front and back ends of the central strip or element by connectorswhich advantageously may be non-elastic, or non-elastic in part. A strapfastener, such as a clasp or buckle is included in each of the strapsboth front and rear in order that the device may be properly adjusted tothe body and under such tension as to supply the required upwardpressure.

The front and back end potrions of the two crossed strips or elementsare supported in a similar way to the central strip and advantageouslyby elastic connection to the same two straps at the front and the sametwo straps at the back which support the central element or strip. Meansmay be provided for varying the relative tension applied to the ends ofthe central strip with respect to the two crossed strips. Advantageouslyseparate connectors are attached between the back end of the centralstrip or element and the two rear vertical supporting straps. Ifdesired, however, these connectors may be omitted, and the back end ofthe central element attached by stitching to the pair of crossedelements or strips.

To obtain full advantage of the invention the device comprises the threeelements above described, and the single element is placed above the twocrossed elements. Under certain circumstances, or with certainindividuals, success in applying the desired external pressure can beachieved with the single element disposed below or outwardly of the twocrossed elements or strips.

The invention will be better understood from a consideration of theaccompanying drawings and the following description of severalembodiments of the invention.

in these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a supporting device for use duringpregnancy, having a belt-type body encircling member and with all partsin stretched and operative position;

PEG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the parts of the supporting device indeveloped or flat condition before applying tension;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a detail of FIG. 1;

PEG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 4 as indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with the parts in stretchedcondition;

FIG. 7 is a view of the supporting device of FIG. 3 curved toapproximately the position it occupies when applied to the body andbefore applying tension;

FIG. 8 is a view of a modified form of the supporting device;

FIG. 9 shows another modification of the supporting device;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIGS. 8 and 9 showing a furthermodification;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a girdle-type of bodyencircling member;

12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing a modification;

FIG. 12a is a fragmentary view showing the attachment of the crossedstraps;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12, but illustrating the use of thesupporting device for a different purpose, namely, for the treatment ofcystocele and recto-cele;

FIG. 14 is a view of a modified form of the supporting device of FIG.13.

Referring now to the drawings and first to FIGS. 1 to 7, the supportingdevice which is indicated generally by numeral 20 comprises twoprincipal elements, namely, a central element or strip 21 and twosimilar crossed strips 22 and 23. Desirably these three strips are allof elastic webbing of a heavy type such as surgical elastic stretchablelengthwise but not widthwise. Advantageously, th central strip Zll issomewhat wider than the other two strips so that it will span, or cover,the labia majora, and its length is somewhat longer than the vulva.

The belt-like body encircling member 24 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 consistsof a back portion 25 of heavy elastic material and of a suitable widthso as not to cut into the flesh, this member being made in two sectionsinterconnected by a hook-and-eye connector 26 to facilitate applicationand adjustment. Two straps 2'7 and 23 are joined to the respectiveopposite ends of member 25 by adjustable hook-and-eye fasteners one ofwhich is 3 shown at 2 in FIG. 2. Each of the straps 27 and 28 has adouble end portion which extends forwardly and downwardly on the bodythrough a ring 3% and is then secured by means of a clasp member 31 soas to be adjustable in length. Rings 36 are not visible in FIGS. 3 and 6which view the parts from above and laid out fiat.

The forward end of central strip 21 (lower end in FIGS. 3 and 6 andupper end in FIG. 7), and the corresponding ends of the two crossedstrips 22 and 23 are joined to the front straps 27 and 23. The lattertwo strips being crossed project generally in the direction of therespective straps 27 and 2S and are provided each with connectingmembers or connectors 32 and 33 which carry adjacent their upper endsthe respective rings 3@ to which straps 27 and 23 are respectivelyattached.

Connectors 32 and 33 are alike and each consists of a piece of elasticwebbing narrower than the crossed strips 22 and 23 and folded on itselfwith its ends stitched at 34 to the upper end of one of the crossedstrips 22 and 23. Near the folded end (the upper end in FIGS. 1, 2 and7) of each connector 32 and 3 3 the two strips are firmly securedtogether by two parallel lines of stitching 35 which are spaced apartappropriately to secure one of the rings thereto and leaving anextension 36 above the ring which serves to prevent the metal ring fromcoming in contact With the flesh of the wearer.

The connecting members or connectors 37 which support the front end ofthe central strip or element 21 are advantageously of single pieces ofelastic with one end secured to the respective connectors 32 and 33 nearthe rings 30, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6. Connectors 37 in thesefigures are secured by means of one of the stitching lines which holdrings 3t whereas FIG. 7 shows a slightly modified arrangement whereconnectors 37 are secured by a separate stitching 38 at a point spaced ashort distance from stitching 35.

Advantageously, the amount of tension applied to central strip 21 shouldbe adjustable with respect to the tension applied to the crossed strips22 and 23. Accordingly the opposite ends of connectors 37 are attachedto member 21 each by means of a buckle or clasp 39. Referring to FIG. 7buckle 39 is secured to the end of central strip 21 by means of a loopat of fabric which is stitched to member 21. The connector 37 passesthrough the buckle and has a short extension 41 therebeyond, the lengthof which depends upon the adjustment of the tension. It will beunderstood that if desired connectors 37 may be stitched directly to theend of element 21 thereby omitting the buckle and the adjustmentfeature.

It will be noted that the two connectors 37 are not in alignment withcentral element 21 when under tension, but on the other hand, divergefrom one another symmetrically with respect to the center line of thecentral element because of their connnection to the straps 27 and 28 atthe sides of the body. This is an important feature of the inventionbecause when the device is in position and properly adjusted to producethe required upward pressure, the diverging pulls at the front end ofthe central element 21, and also at the back end, as will appear later,not only maintain a direct tension lengthwise of element 21, but alsoplace this element under tension sidewise. This contributes to themaintenance of the central element 21 in crosswise fiat condition shownin FIG. 7 so as to prevent tendency of the center thereof to foldupwardly and enter between the labia majora.

The support of the back end of central element 21 and also of the rearends of crossed strips 22 and 23 is not unlike that of the front end,and only a brief description is, therefore, required. Depending from theback portion 25 of the body encircling member 24 there are twoapproximately vertical straps 42 and 43. These may be mere loops offabric passing through rings 44 at their lower ends and stitched to backportion 25, or they may each include a buckle such as buckle 31 forpurposes of adjustment. Such a buckle is indicated at 45 in FIG. 2.

The two rings 44 are attached to the respective connectors 46 for theback end of each of the crossed strips 22 and 23 and also to connectors47 for the back end of element 21. Connectors 46 are like connectors 32and 33 at the front of the device, and connectors 47 are like connectors37 except they are somewhat longer. Like the connectors at the front,connectors 45 and 47 may be of elastic material throughout or they maybe elastic only in part. This applies also to straps 27, 28, 42 and 43.

Referring now to FIG. 4 the supporting device is desirably provided withan absorbent pad 48, usually disposable, and removably held in positionon the upper or inner surface of the supporting structure. In FIGS. 1and 4 pad 48 rests upon central element 21 and is held in positionthereon by means of two loops 4-9 which are provided near each end ofelement 21. The pad is provided with extensions 56) at each end whichare narrower than the width of the pad and which are placed within loopsExtension 50 at the front end of the pad may advantageously be somewhatlonger than the extension at the back end.

In FIG. 8 a modification of the construction of the supporting device isshown. Like supporting device 20, that shown in FIG. 8, comprises threeelements, the central strip 21a and two crossed strips 22 and 23. Theconnection of these elements at the front to the side straps 27 and 23is as described previously. At the back, however, only the crossedelements 22 and 23 are connected to the vertical straps 42 and 43, theback end of central element 2111 being secured to the two crossed strips22 and 23 by a line of stitching 51.

The modification shown in FIG. 9 is exactly like that shown in FIG. 8except for the fact that the central strip 21b is attached to the twocrossed strips 22 and 23 by a single line of stitching 52 which extendscrosswise of strip 21b and joins the three thicknesses at the point ofintersection of crossed strips 22 and 23. If desired, a third line ofstitching such as indicated at 53 and arranged parallel with any one ofthe angular edges of either of the crossed strips may be used. Thisadditional line of stitching 53 may be used in place of the stitching 52or both may be employed together. Also, if desired the three elementsmay be stitched together along the remaining angular edges of the twocrossed strips.

In FIG. 10 the modification consists principally of the reversal ofparts of the supporting device of FIGS. 1 to 7, that is to say, centralstrip or element 21, instead of being placed inwardly of or above thecrossed strips 22 and 23 is placed exterior-1y or below these crossedstrips. The constructions are identical, and are supported or connectedto the body encircling member in exactly the same way as previouslydescribed, with one exception. The connectors 32a and 33a for the twocrossed strips 22 and 23 are of formed elastic cut or specially woven intrapezoidal shape so as to vary in width from the width of the crossedstrips to the width of the narrower straps, these special connectorshaving extensions 54 which are of the same width as the straps 27 and 28so as to be readily attached thereto. At the back specially formedconnectors 46a are also provided which have extensions 55 that are ofthe same width as the vertical straps 42 and 43 of the body encirclingmember. Connectors 37 and 47 are used for the central element 21.

It will be understood that such specially formed connectors may beemployed with the other forms of the supporting device shown in FIGS. 1to 9, if desired. Also it Will be understood that assemblies, such ascentral element 21 with its connectors 3737 and 47-47 (FIG. 3), andcrossed strips 22 and 23 with their connectors 32 and 33 at one end and46 at the opposite end may, if desired, each be fabricated in one pieceinstead of the parts being made separately and stitched together.

It will be understood that with any of the modifications of FIGS. 8, 9or 10, the buckles 39 may be introduced into the connectors for thefront of the central element so as to be able to adjust the tension andupward pressure produced by this element with respect to the tension andupward pressure produced by the two crossed elements.

Referring again briefly to FIG. 9, it will be understood that, ifdesired, the supporting device 28 of FIGS. 1 to 7, and also the deviceof FIG. may have the central strip or element 21 and the two crossedstrips or elements 22 and 23 secured together either by the single lineof cross stitching 52 or by the single line of angular stitching 53 orby any arrangement or combination of these connecting lines of stitchingreferred to in the description of FIG. 9.

The modifications shown in FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 will now bedescribed.

In FIG. 11 the body encircling member 24 is replaced by a bodyencircling member in the form of a girdle 56 of any appropriateconstruction which provides for enlargernent of the front area thereofrequired during the development of the pregnancy. Any of the supportingdevices previously described may be associated with this girdle 56. Asshown, the connectors 33 and 47 for the front ends of the two crossedstrips and the central strip respectively terminate in a ring 30. A sidestrap 280! extends from the upper rear portion of girdle 5s downwardlyand forwardly and its lower end portion is in the form of a loop whichpasses through ring 32 and is folded upwardly and connected to strap 28by means of a buckle 31, as before.

Strap 28a is stitched to girdle 56 from the center of the back to thepoint indicated approximately at 5'7 and from thereon downwardly andforwardly the strap is free. The strap advantageously includes ahook-and-eye connection 29 just as in FIG. 2 so that once the buckle 31has been adjusted properly the device may be removed and reapplied byuse of the hook-and-eye connection. It will be understood that a similarstrap 27 (not shown) is arranged on the opposite side of girdle 56.

At the rear, girdle 56 has two vertical straps 42a (not shown) and 43awhich are secured firmly to the girdle and depend for a short distancebelow its lower edge. The lower portion of each of these straps is inthe form of a loop which passes through ring 44a and is adjustablysecured at its end by means of a buckle. Ring 44a is at the upperterminus of the two rear connectors 46 and 47 which are attachedrespectively to one of the crossed strips or elements 22 of the supportand the central element 21.

It will be understood that the body encircling member 24 of FIGS. 1 and2 may be used during the early stages of the pregnancy without thegirdle, if desired, but that in the later stages a girdle is usuallyrequired, and may be worn in addition to the body support constructionof FIGS. 1 and 2. By combining the body support with the girdle, asshown in FIGS. 11 and 12, only one garment is required and somediscomfort is eliminated.

Now referring to FIG. 12 the girdle 56a has a rear portion 59 to whichthe back end of the central element or strip 21c (FIG. 12a) and the backends of the two crossed strips 22c and 23c are directly attached as by aline of stitching 60 or other suitable means. While the length of thecentral strip 210 is about the same as previously described inconnection with FIGS. 3, 6, 8 and 9, the rear portions of the twocrossed strips 22c and 230 are removed so that these strips are shorterthan in those figures. In other words, the line of stitching 60 islocated at about the same position with respect to the two crossedstrips as the line of stitching 51 in FIGS. 8 and 9 so that strips 220and 23 cross one another at about the lengthwise center line of strip210.

In FIG. 12 portions of the crossed strips 22 and 23 only are shown, thecentral strip being concealed beneath them. The arrangement of the sidestraps 27a and 28a and their connection to the front ends of the threeelements of the support are identical with the construction shown ti anddescribed in FIG. 11. Girdle 56a is shown as being provided with frontand back stocking supporters 61 and 62 and the girdle of FIG. 11 may besimilarly provided, if desired.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate supports for use in connection with thetreatment of other pathological conditions such as cystocele andrectocele. In FIG. 13 a girdle 56b is shown which is similar to girdle56a except that front expansion by the use of two-way stretch elasticmaterial, or otherwise, need not be provided for. This girdle also has aportion 59 at the rear to which the three elements 210, 22c and 230 ofthe body support as described in connection with FIGS. 12 and 12a areconnected. The forward ends of the three elements of the body supportare connected to side straps 27a and 28a as previously described inconnection with FIG. 12. Also front and rear stocking supporters 61 and62 are shown.

In FIG. 14 the girdle 56b is replaced by a belt 63 which has ahook-and-eye adjustable connector 64 at the back. The body supportconsists of the same three elements of the supports previouslydescribed, namely, a central strip 21, 21a and 21b (FIGS. 3, 8 and 9)and the two crossed strips 22 and 23. At the front, instead of thedownwardly and angularly directed side straps 27 and 28, two verticalstraps 64 and 65 are provided. These are permanently secured at theirupper ends to belt 63 and are looped through rings 32a and adjustablysecured by buckles 31a.

The connecting members or connectors between the front ends of the threeelements and rings 30a are similar to those previously described. At therear of belt 63 two vertical straps 42a and 43a are provided and securedpermanently to the belt at the upper ends and are looped through therings 44a. The rear ends of the crossed strips 22 and 23 may be extendedto rings 44a, or may be joined thereto by connectors as desired.Connectors 47a are used between rings 44a and the rear end of centralelement 21.

While it is advantageous to employ fairly heavy elastic material, suchas surgical elastic, for all of the elements of the supporting deviceand body encircling members except the girdles, in some cases adquatesupport may be achieved by the use of lighter materials. In specialcases even two-way stretch material may be used even for the centralelement 21 and the two crossed strips 22 and 23 of the supportingdevice.

The body support of the present invention comprising the three elements21, 22 and 23, and the described arrangements for regulating the tensionapplied to them have been found to produce adequate external pressurefor the alleviation of varices on the labia majora with a surprisingdegree of comfort, and with surprisingly little chafing. The pressure isapplied to the convex surfaces in the vulval area without tendency topenetrate the entrance or produce separation of the labia majora.Moreover, the arrangement of the single central element or strip 21 andthe two crossed strips 22 ad 23 enables the device to be adjustedreadily to persons having very great differences in size andconfiguration of body. When the three elements are mutually unattachedto one another, as in FIGS. 1 to 6, 10 and 11, the two crossed strips 22and 23 may be shifted angularly as indicated by the dotand-dash lines inFIG. 6 to any reasonable extent to conform to the requirements of theparticular individual. The two crossed strips 22 and 23 cross oneanother at approximately the center of the crotch and also at about thecenter of the cnetral strip 21. Where the three elements 21, 22 and 23are interconnected as in the construction of FIG. 9, or of theconstruction of FIG. 8, a considerable degree of adjustment isobtainable merely by the bending and curving of the elastic,particularly the two crossed strips.

T .e various parts of the support of the present invention including thecentral element, or strip, the two crossed strips, the belt back portion25, the side straps 27 and 28, the connections or connectors 37, 46 and47, and, in fact, every part of the device may be of elastic material,or material which is elastic in part, or they may be of non-elasticmaterial, depending upon the characteristics of the individual wearer orthe circumstances of the particular case to be treated. Furthermore, anydesired combination of elastic, non-elastic or partly elastic materialsmay be used, that is, some of the parts may be of elastic material andothers of non-elastic material, or material elastic only in part,depending upon the circumstances of the particular case.

It will be understood that although a number of modifications of theinvention have been illustrated and described, still further changes maybe made without departing from the invention, the scope thereof beingset forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A support for the vulval area of the body comprising a central stripof flexible material of appropriate width to cover the labia majora andtwo strips of flexible material crossing one another at an acute angleand in external contact with the surface of said central strip, meansfor encircling the bod, and connectors attached to the opposite ends ofsaid three strips and supported from said body encircling means, theconnectors supplying supporting tension to these strips to cause them toexert upward pressure against said area when the support is on the bodyof the wearer.

2. A support as set forth in claim 1, wherein the body-encircling meansis a girdle providing support for an extending vertical area of theabdomen of the wearer and the central strip and the two crossed stripsare secured to the girdle at the back.

3. A support as set forth in claim 1, wherein the central strip isdisposed below the two crossed strips when the support is applied to thebody of a wearer.

4-. A support as set forth in claim 1 having in addition a soft flexiblepad wider than the central strip and at least as long as the centralstrip and means removably securing said flexible pad to the uppersurface of the central strip.

5. A support for the vulval area of the body comprising a central stripof flexible material of appropriate width to cover the labia majora andtwo strips of flexible material crossing one another at an acute angleand in exterior contact with the lower surface of said central stripwhen said support is in place on the body of a wearer, each of saidcrossed strips and the central strip forming a part of an assemblyincludina supporting connectors at its opposite ends, at least a portionof said assembly being elastic lengthwise, and means for encircling thebody of the wearer, said means including attachments to the oppositeends of said assembly, the attachments suppling supporting tension tothe assembly to cause said assembly to exert upward pressure againstsaid area when the support is on the body of the wearer.

6. A support as set forth in claim 5, in which said assembly includestwo connectors at each end of the central strip, said connectorsprojecting from the central strip in diverging symmetrical relation tothe center line of the central strip, thereby exerting both lengthwiseand crosswise tension on said central strip.

7. A support as set forth in claim 6 having in addition means providingindependent lengthwise adjustment of said attachments with respect toone another to regulate the tension applied to said central and crossedstrips so as to afford control of the upward pressure against tltevulval area.

8. A support as set forth in claim 5, in which the central strip and thetwo crossed strips are interconnected by stitching.

9. A support as set forth in claim 5, in which the central strip and thetwo crossed strips are interconnected by a transverse line of stitchingdisposed substantially centraliy of all three members.

1i). A support as set forth in claim 5, in which the central strip andthe two crossed strips are interconnected by at least one line ofstitching extending parallel with and close to one edge of one of thecrossed strips.

11. A support for the vulval area of the body comprising a central stripof flexible material of appropr ate Width to cover the labia majora andtwo strips of flexible material crossing one another at an acute angleand in exterior contact with said central strip when the support is inplace on the body of a wearer, at least a portion of each of saidcrossed strips being elastic lengthwise, and means for encircling thebody of a wearer and including connectors, to be positioned at the frontand back of the body of a wearer, to the opposite ends of the crossedstrips, each of said connectors having an extension from the end of eachcrossed strip to the adjacent end of the central strip, the centralstrip being shorter than the crossed strips so that said extensionsproject in diverging symmetrical relation to the center line of thecentral strip, thereby exerting both lengthwise and crosswise tension onthe central strip.

12. A support as set forth in claim 11 having in addition meansproviding independent lengthwise adjustment of said connectors toregulate the tension applied to said central and crossed strips so as toafford control of the upward pressure against the vulval area.

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS632,727 Kuyath Sept. 12, 1899 671,999 Hage Apr. 16, 1901 718,149 PellJan. 13, 1903 763,683 Magoris June 28, 1904 1,019,501 Love et a1. Mar.5, 1912 1,450,953 Fontaine Apr. 10, 1923 2,615,445 Holmes Oct. 28, 19522,713,340 Meminger July 19, 1955 2,779,330 Reid Jan. 29, 1957 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 116,736January 7, 1964 Sydney S. Alberts It is hereby certified that errorappears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that thesaid Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In the heading. to the printed specification line 3, for

"Sydney Sc Alberts, 44 E., 32nd St v Yonkers N Y," read Sydney S.Alberts Yonkers, N. Y. (44 E., 32nd St New York 7 16, N. Yo) column 6line 67 for "cnetral" read central Signed and sealed this 26th day ofMay 1964.,

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents ERNEST W; SWIDER AttestingOfficer

1. A SUPPORT FOR THE VULVAL AREA OF THE BODY COMPRISING A CENTRAL STRIP OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL OF APPROPRIATE WIDTH TO COVER THE LABIA MAJORA AND TWO STRIPS OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL CROSSING ONE ANOTHER AT AN ACUTE ANGLE AND IN EXTERNAL CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE OF SAID CENTRAL STRIP, MEANS FOR ENCIRCLING THE BODY, AND CONNECTORS ATTACHED TO THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID THREE STRIPS AND SUPPORTED FROM SAID BODY ENCIRCLING MEANS, THE CONNECTORS SUPPLYING SUPPORTING TENSION TO THESE STRIPS TO CAUSE THEM TO EXERT UPWARD PRESSURE AGAINST SAID AREA WHEN THE SUPPORT IS ON THE BODY OF THE WEARER. 